33 Comments

Sometimes the world's archeological treasures just deserve to be left in peace.

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Feb 25·edited Feb 25Liked by Jeanine Kitchel

What a sin and a shame to risk losing this pristine beauty for money and profit - or for any reason.

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@jeanine kitchel Thanks for keeping us up to date on this project. For anyone who has been touched by this land of underground rivers and ancient civilizations, anyone who has had the privilege of swimming in some of its pristine cenotes, this is a highly controversial and all-too-likely heartbreaking project.

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Feb 26Liked by Jeanine Kitchel

Not only is this an environmental issue but what about safety? Could the weight of the train cause caves to collapse?

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It’s sad to read about natural wonders being negatively affected by a desire for more tourism and money. Hopefully there will be a way to maintain those ecosystems. Thank you for sharing this, Jeanine!

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Feb 27Liked by Jeanine Kitchel

This brings to mind the powerful Cree prophecy: "When the last tree has been cut down, the last fish been caught, and the last stream poisoned, will we realize we cannot eat money."

It's excruciatingly painful to read about precious environmental treasures like these being destroyed for profit. Will this never end?

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My heart began to pound as I read this and associated this awful environmental travesty with so many others the world over. Each one is worthy of attention and oversight and altogether it is an overwhelming thought. Holding my breath about this particular project. Thank you Jeanine for your great reporting and for keeping eyes on this.

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Feb 26Liked by Jeanine Kitchel

An example of AMLO's unilateral and authoritarian tendencies at their worst. I wonder how Sheinbaum, as an environmental scientist, will square this policy disaster with her environmental platform (assuming she is Mexico's next president, which seems all but certain).

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Thank you for highlighting this - a fine piece that hopefully will be shared endlessly. When I was last there it was clear how upset the locals were about this train and all I could see was how truly unnecessary it is. This kind of ecological upheaval is never beneficial and the thought of compromising the cenotes is unacceptable, short sighted and a tragedy. I look forward to catching up on your posts and look forward to any updates you are willing to share.

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Wow! Dived those cenotes 20+ years ago, they are unique and most be protected!

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So we have to be careful because AMLO has already shown before that what the laws say does not care about him. That's what he said after illegally giving out the NYT journalist's phone number. He claimed that his authority was above the law.

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It's so disheartening to read this. I have not heard about the train before, nor about the destruction of millions of trees. Do the Mayan people have any power at all to stop even more destruction? And can Obredor simply disregard the judge's decision?

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